Kogi

I checked out Kogi, the much-hyped Los Angeles Korean BBQ Taco truck when I was in town visiting the family last week. We followed them on Twitter and drove out to Encino to wait in line for the Korean/Mexican fusion food cart. They have multiple trucks that park at different locations in LA on different days. All I have to say about the experience is “Yes!”

Yes, the place has a lot of hype, but the food was great.

Yes, it’s fusion, but it’s fusion that just works.

Yes, the lines are long, so get there early.

Yes, the truck was late, stuck in traffic on the 405, but this is LA…

Yes, it’s cheap. Two bucks for a taco and five for a quesadilla.

I tried the tofu and spicy pork tacos and the kimchi quesadilla. The tofu was flavorful with Korean marinade and seared to make it taste “meaty” rather than gelatinous. Worth trying even if you are a total carnivore. The spicy pork was great too: spicy, sweet, meaty, and fatty. I have to admit this one was an easy sell for me. When I go to Korean BBQ, I prefer the pork belly to the usual beef dishes like kalbi and bulkogi. The quesadilla was amazing too. The umami that comes out of the ménage à trois of kimchi, sesame, and melted cheese is divine.